Easter hunt for the best deals

Isleworth, TW7

Where: Promisingly nudging the Thames between Richmond and Kew, just south of Syon House and Park. The area divides into Old Isleworth, an attractive clutch of cottages, with a church and pub on the river, and "inland" Isleworth, altogether duller architecturally but satisfyingly cheaper.

Why: Overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, Isleworth is often forgotten. "It doesn't immediately spring to mind as a place to live because it's surrounded by more traditional areas such as Richmond," says Robert Leigh of agent Featherstone Leigh. "But it's starting to come into its own and it's definitely matured in the past few years." Modern developments are clustering at the confluence of the River Crane and the Thames and more are planned, including an ambitious scheme by Octagon. "There is tremendous room for growth, and large developments will accelerate the pace," says Leigh.

Any potential bargain?: For west London, yes. The best bits of Old Isleworth are 20 per cent cheaper than Richmond; the inland parts are 20 per cent cheaper still.

Close to: You get to share the classy shops, bars and restaurants of Richmond, and walks along the Thames, in Syon Park or Kew Gardens are on the doorstep.

Transport: Frequent trains will get you into Waterloo.

Council tax: Richmond-upon-Thames takes £1,339.05 a year off its Band D residents.

What's on offer: If you are trading up, you can take your pick of a mix of Georgian and Victorian cottages along Church Street in Old Isleworth, slick new glass-and-steel riverside apartments and some traditional inter-war semis in Isleworth proper. Featherstone Leigh (020 8940 1575) has a two-bedroom first-floor flat in Riverside Court, Railshead Road, with river views, for £329,000. An apartment on the third floor, with views over houseboats and across the Thames, is £397,000.

Forest Hill, SE23

Where: East of Dulwich and a bit north of Sydenham, Forest Hill is sliced by the overburdened South Circular road. It is cheaper than East Dulwich and park-rich Sydenham, and much cheaper than Dulwich Village.

Why: A once elegant Victorian suburb with grand period properties and hilltop views, Forest Hill's town centre is set for improvement-The long-promised East London Line extension will put Forest Hill on the Tube map if and when it gets the go-ahead. A route chance means investors who once put money into East Dulwich are now targeting Forest Hill hoping to make a killing. Sainsbury's has bought up shops around its existing London Road store and has plans for an eagerly awaited expansion.
"People want this to happen. We've got seven empty shops looking dowdy," says Ben Nicol of agent Robert Stanford.

Any potential bargains?: Yes. Flats under £200,000 are the rule rather than the exception, with quite a few selling for not much more than £160,000, according to Hometrack. Substantial detached five- and six-bedroom houses sell for about £500,000.
But here's a warning: there is a severe shortage of property, and the locals know it. "We have a third of what we should have on our books," says Nicol. "There's very high demand now and sellers are starting to get a bit greedy. They read the papers, see the market is up, then hoick the price they want by £5,000."

Close to: Nice pubs and romantic restaurants in Dulwich Village, and lots of restaurants in Crystal Palace; Horniman Gardens and its revamped museum; Dulwich and Crystal Palace parks. Some streets also have breathtaking views to Kent or the City.

Transport: Lots of trains from Forest Hill run into London Bridge and Charing Cross.

Council tax: Lewisham charges £1,141,29 for Band D homes.

What's on offer: A two-bedroom loft apartment with a communal garden and off-street parking in a Victorian conversion in Tyson Road is selling for £189,950 through Robert Stanford (020 8699 6778). A one-bedroom flat with a garage on London Road is selling for £156,000. In Elsinore Road, a three-bedroom terrace with a 50ft garden is £279,950.